Bar de la Croix Rouge

I’m having my morning noisette under the shade of a chestnut tree that looms over the terrace of the Bar de la Croix Rouge. Off to my right is Cesar’s statue of Centaur and to my left the rue du Four angles towards me.

It’s 8AM and the café has been open since 6 making it a favorite of taxi drivers looking for a quick fix of caffeine who arrive one after the other in quick succession.

rouge 1

By nine locals from the adjacent boutiques and “shop girls” from the nearby Bon Marché stop for a café and a smoke before going off to face shoppers.

It is an unusually restful spot and if I hung around until lunchtime I would select from a wide array of sandwiches on Poilaine bread or perhaps a salade composée washed down with 25cl of good, cheap wine.

And guys if your wife or girlfriend is shopping, enjoy the parade of lovely parisiennes.

2 Carrefour de la Croix Rouge, Paris 75006
01-4549-4647

Metro: Sevres-Babylone

The Paris Insider Newsletter

THE PARIS INSIDER family of weekly newsletters,Including THE PARIS INSIDER (Tuesday,) THE PARIS READERS CIRCLE (Wednesday,) THE PARIS WEEKENDER (Thursday,) and THE PARIS INTERVIEW (Friday) offer freshly written reviews about restaurants, museums, books, events, showings and what's on in Paris. Arriving at 9:15 AM Pacific Time you'll receive all of this plus tips on excursions to the surrounding regions from Champagne to the Loire Valley and much more. Thank you for subscribing.

Bistros

icon bistro

No one should have a bad meal in Paris! Whether a 2-star restaurant or a local bistro there should always be an excellent rapport qualité prix– relationship between price and quality. At my favorites you will be treated as a regular and have a satisfying experience. Just tell them  “Terrance sent you.”

Events

icon events

Regularly scheduled literary salons with guest writers, private dinners, restaurant openings, wine tastings,market visits and cooking classes attract a discerning, sophisticated crowd who love to have a good time while they learn. Our cadre of Paris–based colleagues happily share their passion for this magical city.